History of Cazenovia Village Baptist Church

On June 17, 1801 the First Baptist Church of Cazenovia was organized, with sixteen members and was located in New Woodstock.  In 1817 the foundation for the Cazenovia Village Baptist Church was laid.  The architect was Mr. Archimede Russell.  A wooden building was constructed.  On October 4, 1820, a council from the New Woodstock Church met with delegates from nine other churches in the vicinity to recognize and fellowship with this new church as a church of God.  Nineteen men and sixty three women were released from the mother church in New Woodstock.  Heat was furnished by foot stones brought by members.  A Sunday School was organized in 1821.

By 1834 our church had a membership of 270.  By 1869 the church had a new organ, new furniture, plus extensive repairs.  In 1871 a fire destroyed the entire church.  Again, the faith and determination of the people were put to the test and the new and present building was erected.  In 1886 the church bell was purchased.  An addition was started in November 1968, which included a fellowship hall, new kitchen and church offices.

We have no records of early parsonages but do know of three different ones on Lincklaen Street and the one next to the church on Seminary Street, purchased in 1930.

The Rev. David Pease of Conway, Massachusetts was our first pastor, serving from 1822-1827.  Then,

Rev. Lewis Leonard                             1827-1836

Rev. William Clarke                              1836-1851 and 1854-1864

Rev. George Matthews                         1852-1854

Rev. J. D. Child                                    1865-1868

Rev. J. C. Ward                                   1869-1873

Rev. S. H. Greene                                1874-1879

Rev. J. P. Thoms                                  1881-1884

Rev. W. O. Stearns                              1884-1893

Rev. J. J. Keyes                                   1893-1902

Rev. A. H. Simpson                              1902-1904

Rev. R. J. Thompson                            1905-1910

Rev. Floyd N. Darling                           1910-1916 and 1944-1956

Rev. Charles L. Rhodes                        1916-1919

Rev. Chester C. Winter                        1919-1923

Rev. James G. Hill                                1923-1938

Rev. Gifford M. Webster                      1938-1942

Rev. Justin Dix                                     1942-1944

Rev. Albert F. Garcia                           1956-1962

Rev. Kenneth D. Blazier                       1962-1967

Rev. John A. Lake                                1967-1979

Rev. John Tharp                                   1979-1987

Rev. Douglas Merchant                        1989-1992

Rev. Lois Yeagle                                  1993-1998

Rev. Dr. Robert Shoesmith                   1998-2005

Rev. Richard Dickinson                         2007- Present

Although the ladies through the years have proven their dedication to God and His Church, there seems to be no record of ladies’ organizations in the early development of the church.  The first such mention was in 1867.  Their first organization of record was the Ladies Serving Circle.  In 1873 the Ladies Missionary Society was formed.  In 1919 young girls joined in the World Wide Guild.  The Ladies Aid Society was started in 1895.  In 1956 two societies united and took the name Cazenovia Council of Baptist Women.  Later the Council became known as the American Baptist Women.   Our records show that the wives of our pastors have been an inspiration to all and rendered untiring support not only to their husbands’ work, but to the church itself.

Our church has had and still has many faithful members performing many services over the years: the deacons who have worked closely with the pastors in the spiritual life of the church; the trustees who have handled so efficiently the finances and the care of the church property; the organists, choir directors and choir members who have brought worship and praise through music; the faithful Sunday School teachers and leaders who have made outstanding service to their church.